EDO DECLARED STATE CHOLERA FREE, INTENSIFIES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

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The Edo Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) has advised people in the state to prioritise personal hygiene and sanitation practices as Nigeria battles a fresh cholera outbreak that has already killed people in other states.

In an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Health Educator Irene Uabor of the EDSPHCDA stated that the organisation has begun raising awareness of the illness in the local government areas.

Although there haven’t been any instances of cholera reported in Edo, Uabor stated that “proactive measures are necessary to prevent an outbreak due to the significant risk of the disease spreading.”

She said that the disease was characterised by severe diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to rapid dehydration and, if left untreated, could be fatal within hours.

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“Cholera is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by consuming contaminated water or food.

“Recent outbreaks in neighbouring states have raised alarms, highlighting the urgent need for heightened awareness and preventive actions”.

She emphasised the importance of clean water and proper sanitation, saying “Cholera thrives in environments where water and food sources are contaminated with fecal matter.

“Ensuring access to clean drinking water, proper disposal of waste, and maintaining personal hygiene are key to preventing cholera.”

“Residents are advised to boil water before drinking, avoid eating street food, and wash their hands regularly with soap and clean water, especially before eating and after using the toilet

“Communities are also encouraged to improve waste management practices, ensuring that dirt is disposed of in designated areas and not left in the open where it can contaminate water sources”, she said.

She added that the agency has heightened media campaigns on the awareness and preventive measures against the disease in the state.r

This is as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said it had activated its emergency centre as the death toll in the recent outbreak of cholera reached 53 nationwide.

This is according to a Monday update by the agency shared on its official X platform.

NCDC said, “Following a dynamic risk assessment of the #cholera epidemiological situation which placed the country at a very high risk of increased cholera transmission, we have activated the National #Cholera Emergency Operations Centre (EOC),” the NCDC said.

“As of 24th June 2024, a total of 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths have been recorded across 31 states.”